It started with a fortune cookie.
“A part of us remains wherever we have been.”
Ah so, very wise…
I’d been mulling this thought over for a week.
And then my mother-in-law passed away last Sunday.
At the cemetery, instead of taking a flower and tossing on the casket, we were instructed to place our fingerprints on it symbolically expressing the imprint she made on our lives.
My son took this photo and shared his thoughts:
“Fingerprints are evidence that something, or someone, has been touched. Today we left Nana with a collage of our identities as a symbol that we’ll always be together. The irony is that every person was standing there smothered in her fingerprints from the many ways she had touched our lives.”
Then we received a sympathy card which says:
“We never lose the people we care about….Their love leaves an indelible imprint on our memories.”
All this has me wondering about the imprint that I leave with the people I interact with. What part of me remains with those I love? What about people I barely know? When they see me, do they see Jesus in me?
Which brings me to one of my favorite songs. “Live Like That” by Sidewalk Prophets
And since they say it better than I can, here are my thoughts expressed by Sidewalk Prophets:
Sometimes I think
What will people say of me
When I’m only just a memory
When I’m home where my soul belongs.Was I love
When no one else would show up
Was I Jesus to the least of us
Was my worship more than just a song.I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You.If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back.I want to live like that
I want to live like that.Am I proof
That You are who you say You are
That grace can really change our heart
Do I live like Your love is true.People pass
And even if they don’t know my name
Is there evidence that I’ve been changed
When they see me, do they see You.I want to live like that
And give it all I have
So that everything I say and do
Points to You.If love is who I am
Then this is where I’ll stand
Recklessly abandoned
Never holding back.I want to live like that
I want to live like that.I want to show the world the love You gave for me
I’m longing for the world to know the glory of the King
I want to live like that. I want to make a difference by extending grace, loving well, forgiving, caring for those in need, living in integrity. I want the fingerprints I leave on people’s hearts to be those of Jesus. I want people to see Him when they see me.
What about you? What kind of fingerprints do you want to leave as your legacy?
So sorry to hear about your mother in law, Susan…..this was a great post!!! So happy you are making great headway in this important cause!!!
Miss you and loving it out here!
xoxox
susan
So sorry to hear about Tony;s mom. My condolences to your whole family. What a blessed woman to call you "daughter" and Tony "son". Your son's sentiments are profound.
so sorry for your loss. I love the idea of the fingerprints. I was recently reading a book called God Girl to my girls and it talked about the idea of our home being a place of refreshing – a haven from the outside world. I would love to leave that legacy to my family but also to those who have entered our home and spent time here.
Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. Praying for the Lord to comfort your hurting hearts.
That's a beautiful song, oh how I would love to live like that.
Marge
Thank you for inspiring me with your thoughts my friend. Each day I know that I may be the only Jesus that some will ever know. I don't want to disappoint Him.
Love,
Robin
Hi Susan –
My condolences on your mother-in-law's passing.
This reminds me of another song that Steve Green sings: Find Us Faithful. It talks about the legacy we leave behind.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂